Fuel Consumption, Is It Time To Be Concerned?

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by Larry Lasby

There are a variety of ways to save money on gasoline today. One of the most recent, and less controversial ways of saving money on gas is by turning water into fuel. Experts are saying this method works. Using pills and potions you add to the tank are methods that have not only been controversial but down right scams.

Gasoline prices are expected to keep rising as the summer driving season brings with it greater demand for the fuel and refineries shift over to more expensive summer-grade fuel. Gasoline prices are historically subject to rapid fluctuations; however, over the last six years, the price per gallon in the Philadelphia area has risen steadily from $1. Gasoline prices are still 70 to 80 cents higher than they were one year ago. Meanwhile, a sizable swath of the press has been reporting for weeks that gasoline prices are going through the roof. ” Actually, after adjusting for inflation, gasoline prices are the highest they’ve been in 20 years.

The rising prices at the pump bringing back memories of summertime gasoline bills. You might remember when the cost of fuel dropped in mid-2003, and several observers believed this was due to the fact that the armed conflict would come to a quick resolution. Prices were accordingly raised another 130% at the Tehran conference of December 1973, and a temporary embargo was placed on the United States and the Netherlands at the same time. However, what is happening today is costing the automobile owner money, big time. So here’s the $64 question: Is there something that you and I can do to save money on fuel?

Gas prices have jumped 33 cents a gallon across the United States over the past month and are expected to skyrocket higher and higher through the summer, according to the AAA automobile club. The price of gas has increased sharply in the last two years. Interestingly enough, gasoline sold in California is not the same as gasoline sold in Arizona or Las Vegas. This is due to Gasoline supplies being moved to the Southeast from other parts of the country, affecting supply in those areas. Fuel from different refineries, owned by different companies, is often combined for shipment by pipeline. This deciphers why fuel is higher in one place than it is in another.

There are several options for you to save money at the gas pump. Here are just a few tips to help you cut down your fuel consumption. An engine tune-up will more than likely improve car fuel economy by an average of 1 mile per gallon. Under-inflated tires can cut fuel economy by up to 1 mile per gallon. Driving at 65 miles per hour rather than 55 miles per hour cuts fuel economy by about 2 miles per gallon. Unnecessary speedups, slowdowns and stops can use unnecessary fuel by up to 2 miles per gallon. Your air conditioning can increase fuel cost by as much as 2 miles per gallon. Avoid the rush hours if possible, to reduce fuel-consumption patterns such as starting and stopping and numerous idling periods. Turning Water Into Fuel is deffinately an alternative.

Higher fuel economy standards is our number one priority. It is not a question of when and how, but now, now, now. The skyrocketing cost of fuel are to be taken Seriously. Our economy can not allow such circumstances to run out of control. The fear of the trickle down affect is yet to be felt, you can count on it. Some analysts are blaming higher crude oil prices, greater demand and fears of shortages as the reasons for the present situation. Prices are headed higher, and we must do something about it. The only benefit of higher gas prices is that it could result in trimmer waistlines, suggests a WUSTL researcher.

Other factors contributing to higher prices include political events and conflicts in some major oil producing regions, as well as other factors such as the declining value of the dollar. Traditionally, OPEC set limits on how much oil its member countries produce in order to keep the price higher than it would be in a truly competitive market (but not so high as to encourage development of alternatives).

The United States imports about 62 percent of its oil. This amounts to $308 for every man, woman, and child in the United States. And some people, usually Europeans, like to point out that gasoline is still far cheaper in the United States than it is in Europe, where it can cost upwards of $8 a gallon. Others argue that’s it’s not fair to compare the United States and Europe, as Europe’s high prices are largely due to taxes, which are then used to fund public benefits such as mass transit or cheaper health care. Gasoline prices in the United Kingdom, Italy and the Netherlands are at least twice as high as those in the United States. After Hurricane Katrina and Rita, up to 14 percent of the United States’ natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico was shut in.

The U.S. imports almost 62 percent of its oil. This amounts to $308 for every man, woman, and child. And some people, usually Europeans, like to point out that gasoline is still far cheaper in the United States than it is in Europe, where it can cost as high as $8 a gallon. Others argue that’s it’s not fair to compare the United States and Europe, as Europe’s high prices are in part due to high taxes, which are then used to fund public benefits which include mass transit or cheaper health care. Gasoline prices in the United Kingdom, Italy and the Netherlands are at least twice as high as those in the United States. Hurricane Katrina and Rita, caused the shut down of up to 14 percent of the United States’ natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico.

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